Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed on Monday urged the opposition not to lose patience and exercise restraint as some of the elements were bent upon destabilising the country from within, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Talking to the media men after attending Shuhada Package ceremony at Police Lines in Islamabad, he said, “We also need to keep in view the situation existing on our borders as well as in neighbouring countries. Look, the Taliban government is facing serious economic situation. People are on the brink of starvation in Afghanistan.” 

The minister said he was confident that the allies would remain supportive of the government. 

He also expressed the hope that the government-Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) talks would bear fruit.

He said that the state would not use force so long as Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leaders did not take law into their own hands during their planned march on Islamabad. “Just like Prime Minister Imran Khan, I am also supportive of the electronic voting machines (EVMs). Because otherwise, the opposition would continue to complain of a foul play in elections,” he said.

Rasheed said he was talking to the concerned authorities for a raise in the salaries of police officials as well as for their housing.

He expressed the optimism that Islamabad police would soon develop into a cohesive unit and a model force.

Reporter Saud Butt